Convertible furnishing item

ABSTRACT

The present invention refers to the field of furniture in general and in particular it concerns a motorised convertible furnishing, adapted for taking up different configurations. In particular, the invention refers to a motorised furnishing item that can take up the configuration of a seat such as a sofa and/or a pouf or a table. Furthermore, the present invention refers to a furnishing item that is installed retractably in a space beneath the walking surface and is extractable upon a user&#39;s command

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to the field of furniture in general and in particular it concerns a convertible furnishing item, adapted for taking up different configurations. In particular, the invention refers to a motorised furnishing item that can take up the configurations of a seat such as a sofa and/or a pouf or a table. Furthermore, the present invention refers to a furnishing item that is installed retractably in a space beneath the walking surface and is extractable upon a user's command.

STATE OF THE ART

Currently, there is increasing demand for smart furnishings capable of taking up different configurations of use and of shape, so as to meet different and specific requirements of the end user. Such demand is particularly great in the furnishing of hosting spaces (hotels, restaurants, bars, showrooms, schools, etc.) and derives particularly from the fact that nowadays such spaces are increasingly small or in any case must be versatile so as to be able to be exploited for different activities and/or uses as a function of the needs of the moment. Greater flexibility of use of spaces offers various advantages to the property, both in terms of availability of use, and in terms of revenue (indeed in the case of spaces intended to be exploited to obtain a profit).

It goes without saying that such flexibility of use is also achieved with a furnishing capable of intelligently meeting the contingent usage requirements.

Concerning this, in the field smart furnishings are known that are capable of changing their arrangement, if not also their shape, upon the user's command, in order to take up different configurations of use. A very well-known example is that of the sofa bed, which takes up the configuration of a seat or bed as a function of the requirements. Currently, however, technology is continuously evolving and the ability of furnishing items to transform and/or adapt is ever greater.

A particularly sought-after aim is therefore to combine the abilities of transformation described above with compactness and reduced bulk, always with the aim of exploiting the spaces available in an optimal manner.

A further aim is to provide furnishing items that are particularly functional and at the same time aesthetically pleasing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the present invention is therefore to satisfy such aims, by providing a motorised convertible furnishing item, adapted for taking up different configurations such as in particular those of a seat or of a table.

A further purpose of the furnishing item according to the invention is to be particularly compact and occupy little space, being able to be installed in a space specially made in situ.

These and other purposes are accomplished by the convertible furnishing item the essential characteristics of which are defined by the first of the attached claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The characteristics and advantages of the motorised convertible furnishing item according to the present invention will become clearer from the following description of an embodiment thereof, given as a non-limiting example with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section view of the furnishing item according to the invention, already installed in situ;

FIG. 2 is another longitudinal section view of the furnishing item according to the invention, shown in axonometry;

FIG. 3 shows the furnishing item in a perspective view and in configuration of use as a table;

FIG. 4 shows the furnishing item in a perspective view and in configuration of use as a seat; and

FIGS. 5a to 5z show the steps in sequence of extraction of a main body of the furnishing item, where in particular FIG. 5a shows the furnishing item in a rest position, FIG. 5s represents the furnishing item in an intermediate extraction position corresponding to the configuration of use as a seat and FIG. 5z shows the furnishing item in a completely extracted position corresponding to the configuration of use as a table.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to said figures, the furnishing item according to the invention comprises a main body 1 and is adapted for being contained in a space 2, obtained beneath the walking surface P and connected to it. The main body 1 is associated with lifting and/or lowering means 3 adapted for being contained in the space 2 and such as to allow the main body 1 to be lifted and/or lowered towards the outside and/or the inside of the space, according to a vertical axis X. In particular, the main body 1 is mobile between a rest position (FIG. 5a ) in which it is completely contained inside the space 2 and a completely extracted position in which it is completely extracted from the space, projecting from the walking surface. In such a position, the furnishing item takes up the configuration of use of a table (FIG. 5z ). The furnishing item, as will be made clearer hereinafter, can also take up an intermediate position (FIG. 5s ) between the two extremes just stated, in which the main body is only partially extracted from the space 2. In such a position, the furnishing item takes up the configuration of use of a sofa and/or pouf seat.

More in detail, the main body 1 comprises at least one upper plane 10 and a lower base 11 juxtaposed over one another along the vertical axis X and substantially perpendicular thereto. A stem 12 connects base 11 and plane 10 and extends along the axis X. In the solution illustrated in the figures both the lower base and the upper plane are substantially flat, but this does not mean that other shapes cannot be provided, in particular for the base that can for example take up a hump configuration, with apex at the stem and flanks descending towards the outer perimeter. Furthermore, the terms “lower” and “upper” are used in reference to the walking surface, the term “lower” being meant to indicate the surface of the main body closest to it and the term “upper” being meant to indicate the surface of the main body distal from the walking surface. In general, in the following description, spatial references will refer to the walking surface and more in general to the positioning in configuration of use in situ of the furnishing item.

The lifting and/or lowering means 3 are directly connected to the lower base 11 that in the completely extracted position is arranged in continuity with the walking surface, resulting in the upper closure of the space 2. In the solution as showed in the figures, these are in the form of a linear pantograph actuator. This does not rule out the possibility of other solutions being provided. It is the user that activates the lifting and/or lowering means 3 through a remote control or manual command positioned in loco; a control station (not visible) is thus foreseen that receives the activation signal sent by the user and controls the operation of the lifting and/or lowering means.

As stated above, in such a completely extracted position the furnishing item takes up the configuration of use as a table (FIGS. 3 and 5 z). The upper plane 10 therefore becomes the table top, whereas the lower base 11 makes the walking surface under the table in continuity with what exists, assuming the function of a support surface of the seats and of the feet of the users positioned to sit around the table itself.

Advantageously, the main body 1 defines a housing 13 that is adapted for containing a plurality of seat elements 4. In greater detail, the housing is delimited by upper plane, lower base and stem.

In the completely extracted position the housing 13 is completely accessible, i.e. outside of the space 2. In such a position it is thus possible to extract the seat elements 4 possibly contained in it.

Preferably, each seat element 4 of such a plurality is a chair. This does not rule out the possibility of other solutions also being foreseen, such as stools or similar.

In a preferred embodiment, as illustrated in the figures, each seat element 4 of such a plurality has an extension in height that occupies substantially the entire housing 13 and has a backrest surface 40 that is substantially in continuity with a perimeter edge 100 of the upper plane 10, when the seat 4 is contained in the housing. Furthermore, as shown in the figures, such a backrest surface 40 has an extension substantially perpendicular to the upper plane 10. Preferably but not for limiting purposes, the seat elements are in a number such as to be arranged in continuity side-by-side along the perimeter edge 100, so that the plurality of backrest surfaces 40 is adapted for defining a substantially continuous side surface 40′.

With reference now in particular to FIG. 5s , where the aforementioned seat configuration such as a pouf is shown, the furnishing item is partially extracted from the space and projects from the walking surface by a desired height such as to be compatible with the sitting of a user on the upper plane which thus assumes the function of a seating plane. Such a desired height is preferably comprised between 40 and 50 cm. A preferred value is for example 45 cm.

In the pouf configuration, the aforementioned continuous side surface 40′ defined by the plurality of backrest surfaces 40 assumes the function of a side wall 40′ of the pouf, substantially perpendicular to the seat plane and to the walking surface.

Now going back to the stem 12, this defines a cavity 120 inside it in which at least one cushion 14 is housed that can be extracted according to the vertical axis X. The cavity 120 also contains extraction means 15 functionally associated with such at least one cushion 14. The cavity 120 is connected at the top to the upper plane 10 through a mouth 120 a adapted to be intercepted by a cover 120 b that can be removed as decided by the user. Such removal can be mechanical and thus automated (i.e. activated through a command) or manual. Furthermore, the cover 120 b can possibly be in the form of a free cushion.

The extraction means 15 comprise a linear actuator, as shown in the figures, arranged in accordance with the axis X.

In a preferred embodiment the cavity 120 houses a plurality of cushions contained arranged stacked one on top of the other according to the axis X.

The extraction of the plurality of cushions comprises the following steps: the user drives the extraction means 15 by a remote control or an on-board control. The extraction means 15 push the cushions forward the mouth 120 a, according to the axis

X; the first cushion is therefore extracted from the cavity 120 and the user can take it in order to put it on the seating plane. These steps are performed for each cushion of said plurality.

In order to put the cushions inside the cavity 120 the user follows similar steps, i.e. the cushions are collected by the user, stacked and positioned on the extraction means 15 in correspondence of the mouth 120 a of the cavity 120. Retraction of the extraction means 15 entails the return of the plurality of the cushions inside the cavity 120.

In a further embodiment, the cushions extraction operation can be automated.

Advantageously, each cushion provides a surface with anti-slipping means so that, once positioned on the seat, it does not slip away. For example, these anti-slip means comprise a sheet of electrostatic polymer, associated (by gluing or sewing) to the surface of the cushion.

The last cushion of the plurality can also be left in the cavity 120 to intercept the mouth 120 a; in this case, the cushions of said plurality will preferably be in a number n+1 with respect to the n seating spaces provided.

Although there is nothing to prevent the extraction of the at least one cushion 14 from being activated in any step of the lifting of the furnishing item or even in its completely extracted position, it is obvious how the availability of the cushion 14 is more useful in the configuration of use as a seat, and therefore the activation of the extraction means 15 will preferably occur in the intermediate extraction position or during the extraction step that goes from the rest position to the intermediate extraction position.

Furthermore, at least one seat 16 for housing electronic means for communicating and/or transmitting images 17 such as tablets, monitors or telephones or more generally any electronic tool useful in the case of use of the table as a meeting table or similar is also defined inside the stem 12. The extraction of the electronic means for communicating and/or transmitting images 17 from such at least one seat 16 can be automated and be carried out at the same time as the lifting of the main body, or completely manual or even assisted; in this last case the user presses a manual control arranged on the table top that activates release means that cause the extraction of the aforementioned electronic means 17.

Alternatively, the electronic means for communicating and/or transmitting images 17 can be contained in at least one seat 16 obtained on the table top compatibly with the thickness thereof.

Now going into further detail, in a preferred embodiment the upper plane 10 is hexagonal in shape.

The hexagonal shape has various advantages since, for the same maximum space occupied, it is that which allows the greatest number of seating spaces. However, this does not rule out the possibility of other shapes being foreseen, like for example, but not for limiting purposes, circular or square.

Furthermore, in an embodiment, the lower base 11 is also hexagonal in shape.

Preferably, but not for limiting purposes, the mouth 120 a is hexagonal in shape.

Preferably, but not for limiting purposes, the at least one cushion 14 is hexagonal in shape.

Preferably, but not for limiting purposes, the stem 12 has a substantially circular cross section.

In a preferred embodiment, the stem is tubular or at least has a tubular bottom portion 121 such as to engage axially on a connection pin 111 projecting from the lower base, preferably but not for limiting purposes made of steel. Conversely, the reverse solution is also possible, i.e. for the lower base to have a projecting tube in which the stem 12 axially engages.

In a preferred embodiment, the upper plane is made of tempered glass. This does not rule out the possibility of any other material adapted for the purpose being used.

Furthermore, preferably but not for limiting purposes, the stem 12 is made of composite material.

Possibly, the lower base 11 is made of steel or other metallic material.

Other variants and/or modifications can be brought to the convertible furnishing item according to the present invention, without for this reason departing from the scope of protection of the invention itself as defined by the attached claims. 

1. A convertible furnishing item, adapted for being contained in a space, obtained beneath a walking surface (P) and connected to it, comprising a main body with a lower base and an upper plane juxtaposed according to a vertical axis (X) and connected by a stem arranged according to said vertical axis (X), said furnishing item also comprising lifting and/or lowering means of said main body from said space so that said main body is able to translate according to said vertical axis (X) from a rest position in which it is completely contained in said space to a completely extracted position in which said lower base is arranged in substantial continuity with said walking surface (P), passing through an intermediate position in which said upper plane is at a desired height from said walking surface (P), said furnishing item being such that in said completely extracted position it is adapted for taking up the configuration of a table, in said intermediate position it is adapted for taking up the configuration of a seat, wherein said main body of said furnishing item delimits a housing adapted for containing seat elements, and wherein said stem defines a cavity inside it, adapted for containing a cushion extractable from said cavity to be arranged resting on said upper plane in said intermediate position.
 2. The convertible furnishing item according to claim 1, wherein said cavity has a mouth connected to said upper plane.
 3. The convertible furnishing item according to claim 2, wherein extraction means of said cushion are housed in said stem.
 4. The convertible furnishing item according to claim 3, wherein said extraction means comprise a linear actuator adapted to translate said cushion at least until the edge of said mouth.
 5. The convertible furnishing item according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of cushions stacked according to said vertical axis (X) is contained in said cavity.
 6. The convertible furnishing item according to claim 1, wherein said lifting and/or lowering means comprise a pantograph actuator.
 7. The convertible furnishing item according to claim 1, wherein said desired height is comprised between 40 and 50 cm.
 8. The convertible furnishing item according to claim 1, wherein said upper plane is hexagonal in shape.
 9. The convertible furnishing item according to claim 1, wherein said housing is adapted to contain a plurality of seat elements.
 10. The convertible furnishing item according to claim 1, wherein said housing contains a plurality of seat elements.
 11. The convertible furnishing item according to claim 10, wherein each seat element of said plurality has a backrest surface that is substantially in continuity with a perimeter edge of said upper plane WO when contained in said housing.
 12. The convertible furnishing item according to claim 11, wherein said backrest surface extends substantially perpendicular to the upper plane.
 13. The convertible furnishing item according to claim 11, wherein said seat elements are in a number such as to be arranged in continuity side-by-side along said perimeter edge, so that the plurality of backrest surfaces is adapted for defining a substantially continuous side surface.
 14. The convertible furnishing item according to claim 13, wherein in said intermediate position said substantially continuous side surface acts as a side wall of said furnishing item in said seat configuration. 